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Germany Considers Free Public Transport in Fight To Banish Air Pollution (theguardian.com)
"Car nation" Germany has surprised neighbours with a radical proposal to reduce road traffic by making public transport free, as Berlin scrambles to meet EU air pollution targets and avoid big fines. From a report: The move comes just over two years after Volkswagen's devastating "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal unleashed a wave of anger at the auto industry, a keystone of German prosperity. "We are considering public transport free of charge in order to reduce the number of private cars," three ministers including Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks wrote to EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella in the letter seen by AFP Tuesday.
That's the ONLY reason? I'm also dissuaded by the fact that my car starts and stops closer to where I want to be.
In European cities, the distance from the next available parking spot often will be further than the distance from the next public transport stop.
Stephan
I was both in California and in Germany. I understand what you mean, however, in comparison with Germany there is no public transport in California.
In Germany pubic transport is rather clean and efficient.
I live in Austin, and find the bus to/from work more convenient (and cheaper) than driving. Downtown parking garages are $25-$40 a day, so by taking a bus, it not just saves me $800 a month, but also 30+ minutes a day in commuting time, just to find a spot in the 10+ levels of the garage.
There are a lot more than six places where public transportation is useful.